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WOMAN'S WORK IN THE 
CHURCH. 



BY 



MRS. MARTHA TYLER GALE. 




BOSTON-: 

CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHING SOCIETY, 
BEACON STREET. 

/ 






COPYRIGHT. 

CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHING SOCIETY. 

1S76. 



BOSTON : 

STEREOTYPED BY C. J. PETERS AXD SON, 

73 FEDERAL STREET. 



TOPICS. 

PAGE. 

Prayer 10 

Prayer-Meetings 16 

Femaie Prayer-Meetings . . .19 
The Sabbath-School . • • .21 
Advice and Counsel . . • .23 

Towards Servants 26 

Giving 28 

Conversation ...... 32 

Amusements 33 

Religious Books 35 

Church Visiting . • . . . 36 
Sympathy 39 

3 



TOPICS. 



Visiting the Sick 
Calling on the Afflicted 
Religious Conversation • 
Inviting to Christ . 
Successful Laborers 
Rich Reward 



PAGB. 

. 42 



44 
47 
57 
61 

65 



noma's Ifyrit w % ®(mt*^. 



11 Help those women who labored with me in the gospel." 

Phil. iv. 3. 

More than two-thirds of the members 
of our churches are women. The Church 
cannot possibly afford to allow this large 
number to be idle. They should all be 
enlisted for service. 

We rejoice to believe that the order 
of deaconesses will be revived ; but be- 
side this it should be the aim of every 
church and every pastor to engage the 
whole sisterhood in church work, and 
the effort of all others who have talent 
for organizing, to divide and direct labor, 
and persuade each one to do her part. 

5 



woman's work in the church. 



Many women have leisure, after all 
home duties are performed, which might 
be devoted to the Master's service. 
Some wealthy women are suffering in 
listless idleness, for want of satisfactory 
employment. It would be the greatest 
kindness to interest them in Christian 
labor. 

But not only should ladies of leisure 
be engaged. It will be found that those 
who have already enjoyed the satisfac- 
tion there is in the full employment of all 
their powers, and the happiness of self- 
denying toil for the good of others, are 
usually ready to take up new work. 
Some one has said, " If you want to get 
a pair of shoes for a poor child, do not 
go to a rich, pampered, childless lady. 
She will say, 'The poor don't mind^ going 
barefoot : they get used to it.' Go to the 



woman's work in the church. 7 

hard-working mother of six little ones, 
and you will meet with a cordial re- 
sponse, l You are right : the child must 
have shoes. I will do my best to help 
get them.' " So the industrious, who are 
already most occupied, are sometimes 
willing to assume fresh burdens, and 
prove the best church workers. 

We found a lady hurried with embroid- 
ering and trimming. She showed us 
all the ornamentation she had com- 
menced, saying, " I am as industrious as 
a bee." We could not admire it, for we 
knew it engrossed her mind. We viewed 
it with pain, and thought, How useless 
all ! Her own countenance fell ; then 
in excuse she said, " I do not know any 
poor people, or any to work for. I busy 
myself with this to while away my time." 

Should a Christian woman live thus 



8 woman's work in the church. 

consciously for self ? Things of beauty, 
tasteful ornaments, are somewhat desira- 
ble ; but is it right to spend so much of 
our time in purely selfish adornment ? 
Our time, did we say ? Is it our time ? 
Who gives u§ our time, and for what pur- 
pose ? Are we not bought with a price ? 
If " she that liveth in pleasure is dead 
while she liveth," how is it with her who 
lives in busy idleness or in worthless, 
selfish industry? 

O sisters ! leave this childish play, 
which dwarfs the intellect, and belittles 
the soul, and come up to your high call- 
ing. Adorn yourselves, as "becometh 
women professing godliness, with good 
works." If you are so fond of your 
needles, use them more as did Dorcas. 
Leave the canvas " red with the blood 
of murdered time." God can give you 



woman's work in the church. 9 

richer garlands. Leave all undue orna- 
mentation of person or of homes, and 
seek first to gain the "fine linen, clean 
and white, — the righteousness of saints ; " 
that raiment which will ere long be trans- 
figured, and become " glistering " as the 
sun, "white as the light." 

While we write, voices of young ladies 
come to us, singing Lucy Larcom's hymn. 

11 Heavenly Father, I would wear 
Angel garments white and fair ; 
Angel vesture undefiled 
Wilt thou give unto thy child. 
Take the raiment soiled away, 
That I wear with shame to-day : 
Give my angel robes to me, 
White with heaven's own purity ; 
Clothe me in my angel dress, 
Beautiful with holiness.' ' 

How appropriate this petition for maid- 
ens who cannot forget their attire ! 



io woman's work in the church. 



But many will say, "We wish to be 
useful. We should prefer to work for 
the Church, did we know how. What 
can we do ? " 

Much every way. First, earnestly im- 
plore Christ to show you some work for 
him, and give you a heart to do it ; and 
you may find both to-morrow. While we 
suggest some methods of work, others 
will doubtless occur to you. 

PRAYER. 

We can surely all pray more. 

Without true prayer, all work is vain. 
Prayer is the life and soul of work, its 
inspiration, its wisdom, and its success. 
The one who prays most truly serves 
the Church best. 

Now, woman seems appointed, like the 
Vestals of old, to guard the sacred fires 



woman's work in the CHURCH. II 

on the altars of devotion. She is fitted 
by her sensitive nature and her more 
favorable circumstances for this hallowed 
work. The physical weakness and com- 
parative helplessness of woman induces 
a sense of dependence upon God ; her 
responsibilities in the care of children 
often incite her to more prayerfulness ; 
while her opportunities for retirement 
and leisure devolve this sacred duty es- 
pecially upon her. How guarded from 
ambition is she in the seclusion of her 
quiet home, how well protected from the 
currents of avarice and worldliness that 
sweep through the marts of greedy trade ! 
She is free from the anxieties of profes- 
sional and business life which absorb the 
mind. It is far easier for her to keep 
herself unspotted from the world than for 
him who presses through the jostling 



12 woman's work in the church. 



crowd in the miry streets. The even 
tenor of her way lies so near the closet, 
she may at almost any time step within, 
and make her requests known to God. 

The glory of this best of good works 
is that it can be done at all times, — in 
sickness or in health, at home or abroad, 
in the closet, in the sanctuary, and even 
by the way. The pure-hearted, believing 
girl may find it easier to gain access to 
God than the gifted statesman weary of 
the crooked ways of this perverse world, 
or the princely merchant distracted with 
pressing cares ; and the aged and infirm 
sister, wondering why her useless life is 
lengthened, may be answered, " Christ 
delays his coming that you may still 
longer enrich the world by your interces- 
sions. " While the hands are chained to 
household toil, the heart may rise on the 



WOMAN S WORK IN THE CHURCH. 13 

wings of prayer ; and though to earn her 
daily bread one is forced to stitch, stitch, 
stitch, her sweet comfort may be to pray, 
pray, pray. 

We remember a woman, who, every 
morning after her husband left for his 
business, retired to pray that he might be 
saved from covetousness, and especially 
from unfairness in trade. 

One told us, " My husband had been 
sceptical ; at last he became unsuccess- 
ful in business. I was so anxious about 
the support of our large family that I 
cried to God in my distress, and implored 
his pity and help. I could do nothing 
besides ; for I was helplessly sick, and 
shut up to prayer. I encouraged my 
husband, and kept him from despair, 
saying, ' I am pleading with God : wait 
now, and see if he does not interpose 



14 woman's work in the church. 

for us.' More than once he was so 
strangely and in such an unexpected 
manner relieved from his embarrass- 
ments, that he became convinced it was 
in answer to my prayers. Now the desire 
of my heart has been granted, and he 
rejoices in the same faith.' ' 

A maiden lady said, "I am continually 
praying for the neglected children I see 
in the city. Truly ' more are the chil- 
dren of the desolate than of the married 
woman, saith the Lord, ' there are such 
hosts of them ; and I plead for them 
all." How happy that this large-hearted 
woman could thus adopt the many so 
much in need of loving remembrance ! 

Another says, " Whenever my thoughts 
are at liberty, they turn to God, and 
almost always take the form of petition. 
I constantly single out individuals, and 



woman's work in the church. 15 

intercede for them ; and I find that in 
course of time they are almost all con- 
verted. I am astonished at the willing- 
ness of God. I seem to gain so much 
of what I ask both of temporal and 
spiritual good ! " 

She was wise in being thus specific. 
There is great advantage in selecting 
particular persons, praying for them by 
name, and increasing our interest for 
them by dwelling upon their need of 
conversion, and on the service they may 
render to the cause of Christ. 

Women such as these, though unno- 
ticed and unknown, are the benefactors 
of the world and the strength of the 
Church. They are like the forces be- 
neath the earth and in the air, unseen 
but powerful, which cause the garden of 
the Lord to bud and blossom, and fruits 



1 6 woman's work in the church. 

of righteousness to spring forth on every 
hand. The odors sweet which are the 
prayers of saints, the incense which rises 
from their heart's altars, descend in 
dew on the tender herb, or in the great 
rain of God's strength. In answer to 
their requests, all the common means of 
grace become effectual, and the impeni- 
tent are won. They plead for the divine 
soirit, and it is given. 

PRAYER-MEETINGS. 

Those who thus abide in Christ by 
constant prayer carry a spiritual power 
to the social service. Others watch for 
their coming, and miss them when absent. 
Though silent, they give courage and 
inspiration to those who speak. Their 
songs not only express their own devo- 
tion, but awaken the same emotions itv 



woman's work in the church. 17 

those who listen. If the orator searches 
his audience for the interested hearer, 
and grows eloquent only when he meets 
a " listening eye," how much more does 
the preacher long for Christian sympathy 
from devout hearers, who wing his words 
with prayer ! " Do go with me," said a 
minister to a pious wife and sister. "Let 
me know that two are there praying for 
me, or I cannot preach." Where there 
are many earnestly importuning, the 
place becomes the house of God, the 
gate of heaven. 

" Such ever bring Thee where they come." 

Is it thus within our power to gain 
inestimable blessings for others ; and 
shall we not rejoice to do this great work 
for the Church ? The Lord seems to 
say to us, " Prove me now, and see if I 
will not pour you out a blessing." 



18 woman's work in the church. 

If women are anxious to aid religious 
services, they will make all their arrange- 
ments so as to be present, and will in- 
vite others to accompany them. How often 
persons are absent, when wise planning 
would have prevented their being de- 
tained ! Sometimes a woman will invite 
her friends, when every guest should 
be at the prayer - meeting. " I never 
thought," she pleads; but the man who 
forgot the sabbath confessed, " In that 
was my sin : it was my duty to remem- 
ber." Will not the sensitive Saviour, 
who begged his friends to watch with 
him one hour, be wounded that they 
meet with you, and neglect the appoint- 
ment he has made to be in the midst, 
where two or three are gathered in his 
name ? 

A pastor lamented that, on his way to 



woman's work in the church. 19 

his preparatory lecture, he saw three 
young ladies, all members of his church, 
out playing croquet. 

Women desirous to assist the worship 
of others will be willing, for the time at 
least, to lay aside their most " costly 
array," and all conspicuously gay cloth- 
ing, where the rich and the poor meet to- 
gether. They may say, " I never give it 
a thought ; ' but the weak sister behind 
them, with more ambition than ability 
to wear the same, may give it many 
thoughts, and possibly thoughts akin to 
envy. Paul would eat no meat while the 
world stood, if it made his weak brother 
to offend. 

FEMALE PRAYER-MEETINGS. 

Women may do the Church great ser- 
vice by sustaining female meetings. Many 



20 woman's work in the church. 



revivals have had their origin in women's 
prayer-meetings ; indeed, a church that 
has no such meetings can hardly expect 
to be greatly blessed. They should be 
not only for prayer and Christian con- 
versation, but for consultation as to what 
can be done. for Christ's cause. In some 
places the members go out and draw 
in the unconverted, that they may be 
influenced in the atmosphere of prayer. 
But there should be more careful prep- 
aration made for these meetings. The 
mere relation of personal experience will 
not long continue to edify. God's word 
should be searched ; we should dig deep 
into its mine of wealth, till we can bring 
up hidden treasures, then fuse them with 
our own heart's fire, with prayer, earnest 
thought, and constant practice, before 
we can become truly instructive. 



woman's work in the CHURCH. 21 

We knew a teacher, a woman of 
thought and deep piety, who accom- 
plished wonders for her scholars by an 
hour of prayer with them weekly. A 
devoted sabbath-school teacher per- 
suaded her class of girls to meet her for 
prayer between the sabbaths, till all of 
them, catching her spirit, grew up heav- 
enly-minded. 

THE SABBATH SCHOOL. 

Of course it is expected that every 
Christian who wishes to be useful will 
be in the sabbath school, unless other 
duties interfere ; and that, while a 
teacher, she will do all in her power for 
her class to help them socially and in 
temporal things, to start them intellec- 
tually, and train them spiritually for 
usefulness. 



22 WOMAN'S WORK IN THE- CHURCH. 



A young man was long unsuccessfully 
seeking employment. His rich relatives 
left him to try, and try in vain, till his 
Sunday-school teacher, a poor young 
man, found him a situation. 

" You first taught me to think ; you 
showed me how to study," said a gifted 
scholar to her former sabbath-school 
teacher: "your influence and instruc- 
tions educated me intellectually and 
religiously." 

" How came you, situated as you were, 
to become a missionary ? " we asked one 
who had proved very laborious and use- 
ful. " I owe it all to the sabbath-school 
teacher I had when I was a girl. She 
was untaught, except by God and his 
word, but was a missionary at home. 
She imbued me with her spirit." 

And yet, sad to relate, another scholar 



woman's work in the church. 23 

says, " I have been in a lady's class three 
years, and she does not seem to care the 
least for me. She has never so much as 
asked me whether I am a Christian." 

ADVICE AND COUNSEL. 

You may also instruct the ignorant by 
kind, judicious counsel. If God has given 
you more wisdom, is it not your duty, as 
far as consistent, to make it useful to 
others ? 

Some women were complaining of 
the great severity of a young mother 
near them, with her little girl. They 
said, " She means well enough, but don't 
know any better. She will ruin the 
child's disposition, if not her health." — 
" But why don't you call, and contrive 
kindly to advise her ? Tell her how you 
lost your child, and how we reproach 



24 woman's work in the church. 

ourselves, when it is too late, for the least 
impatience or harshness with a child." — 
" Oh ! we cannot : it might seem like 
meddlesome interference." So the ig- 
norant mother took her abused child, 
and moved away unreproved. Was this 
right ? " Thou shalt in any wise rebuke 
thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon 
him." 

You rejoice that the homelike and 
friendly cheer of your parlor attracts the 
young man from gayer haunts, and keeps 
him from temptations. You may be the 
one, in winning words, to " speak to that 
young man," if need be, to caution him, 
with the tenderness of a mother, or the 
gentleness of a sister. So of the young 
woman who has no mother near to guide 
her. "I may gain their ill-will," you 
object. What is that compared with a 



woman's work in the church. 25 

duty ? You may secure their lifelong 
gratitude. 

A young woman of our acquaintance 
heard that a promising young man was 
becoming intemperate, and her Christian 
sympathies were earnestly enlisted. 
"Does anyone warn him?" she asked. 
" He is away from all his best friends. 
If I had but an introduction, I am sure 
I would expostulate with him, no matter 
how he may regard it." The next day 
she had an introduction, when she told 
him frankly what she had heard of his 
talents, and of his danger from stimu- 
lants, and begged him not to ruin him- 
self, and blight all his fine prospects. 
Instead of offending him, as others pre- 
dicted, she gained his respect and affec- 
tion. He removed from his old evil 
associates, and took board in the same 



26 woman's work in the church. 

house with her for protection. It was 
not long before, proving himself worthy, 
he intrusted himself further to her care. 

But this most difficult work of counsel, 
and especially of admonition, should 
only be undertaken after most earnest 
seeking of aid from the Spirit of wisdom. 

TOWARDS SERVANTS. 

It is presumed that you have proved 
yourselves to be the sincere friend of every 
servant you employ, even to your washer- 
woman, and that she confides in and 
relies upon you for help, counsel, and 
comfort in time of need. 

If these are Romanists, you will not 
be so unwise as to attack the church 
they venerate, but rather congratulate 
them that they hold with you the supreme 
divinity of Christ, and the sacrificial 



woman's work in the church. 27 

atonement he made for our sins by his 
death, Then you will discreetly guard 
them against trusting in good works, in 
penance, in absolution, or in church 
sacraments, instead of in the merits of 
that death ; and against interposing Mary 
between their souls and their divine 
Saviour, the "one Mediator." Perhaps 
you may persuade them to read the nar- 
ratives in the Douay Bible, especially the 
story of the dying thief, which so clearly 
teaches salvation by faith alone. 

There are those who prove that the 
relation of mistress and maid may be the 
interchange of gratefully received kind- 
nesses. A bright " Thank you," for any 
unexpected service or little attention, is 
as deserved by your servant as by your 
friend, and far more valued. " You are 
so constantly kind and obliging, we love 



28 woman's work in the church. 

you," said a lady to her girl. The sur- 
prised servant answered by tears. It was 
like the kiss of her mother, when she 
was in green Erin. 

Do not say this is not church work. 
We send missionaries abroad for this 
purpose. True, good judgment is 
needed ; but can it be doubted that the 
Church should aim to evangelize all the 
misguided among us, or that it will ere 
long arouse itself to perform this sadly 
neglected duty? Would every Christian 
woman instruct the one or two whom she 
can influence, how many might be taught, 
who may be the mothers of a new gener- 
ation ! 

GIVING. 

Women should aid and promote benevo- 
lence. It must be confessed, that owing 



woman's work in the church. 29 

to their greater timidity and fear for the 
future, and the narrowness of their usual 
interests and occupations, women are 
more penurious than men. Some wives 
check the generosity of their husbands, 
while others incite them to noble deeds. 
The wife of John Howard was in full 
sympathy with all his early philanthropy. 
Finding a surplus in his purse at one 
time, he proposed taking her on a pleas- 
ure-trip to London. " What a pretty 
cottage that sum would build ! " she said. 
So the journey was given up, and a poor 
tenant's family made more happy. Many 
ways will occur to you by which women 
can swell the amount in the Lord's 
treasury. Tha Woman's Board of Mis- 
sions is surely worthy of encouragement 
from every woman, though it be but by a 
mite or a word. 



30 woman's work in the church. 

A factory girl told us, " I found I was 
making a great deal of money, but I 
was growing mean and stingy ; and I 
resolved that I would force myself to 
give for religious objects. It was hard. 
I had a great battle with myself, but I 
determined that I would give a tenth of 
all I earned. Now I take a deal of com- 
fort in it. It counts up remarkably. I 
have ten or twelve dollars for foreign 
missions, and five, seven, or eight, for 
the different home objects." 

" The example must have been benefi- 
cial, " we said. " Yes. It did a world of 
good, the collectors said. People asked, 
' Who is this ? ' — ' She works in the mill, 
but she thinks it her duty to give/ they 
answered. After that, gentlemen and 
ladies were ashamed to put down a dol- 
lar or two beside ten from a factory girl." 



woman's work in the church. 31 

" Alas ! I cannot earn a cent ! " 
exclaims some young lady. " I am 
obliged to ask father for all I have." 
But, if you ask for edgings and for jew- 
elry, why not for Christ ? Perhaps you 
could ask him to let you earn something 
to give. A father gave a daughter 
money to buy a shawl ; she begged per- 
mission to buy a cheaper shawl, and give 
away what remained. In this way many 
might gain the great benefit of denying 
themselves for Christ. What will it mat- 
ter by and by, whether the shawl be 
costly or not ? while the sum saved may 
give a cup of cold water in remem- 
brance of Him who was athirst for our 
sakes, or become like the precious oint- 
ment poured over the nail-pierced feet. 



32 WOMAN'S WORK IN THE CHURCH. 
CONVERSATION. 

Women should aim to raise the tone of 
conversation in society. 

How proverbially small and profitless * 
is the talk even when Christian women 
meet together ! while without being 
strictly religious, conversation might 
always promote intelligence, piety, and 
kind feeling. Comments upon the faults 
of Christians cannot fail to injure the 
influence of the Church. If we must 
speak of others, let us tell of some noble 
activity, some excellence attained, some 
good accomplished, never fearing to 
change the subject when it degenerates. 
Mark the houses where conversation 
proves most profitable, and there make 
your most frequent calls ; and avoid the 
persons who cannot be lifted above scan- 



wclman's work in the church. 33 

dal, gossip, or frivolous chit-chat. It is 
well after a visit to recall what has been 
said for future improvement ; for those 
who succeed in leading conversation, and 
elevating its tone, usually make a study 
of topics to introduce, and choose well 
their words. 

AMUSEMENTS. 

Women can plan suitable amusements, 
and watch that they do not slide into 
what is over-exciting and excessive, or 
interfere with the interests of religion. 
Here they should be discerning and far- 
sighted, for in this way they may do 
great good or great harm. 

We heard a neighboring minister 

lamenting, " I have felt impelled to make 

a great effort for our young people. I 

have strained every nerve, and devised 

3 



34 woman's work in the church. 

every way to interest them in religion ; 
but there was no sympathy and no co- 
operation on the part of the church. 
Even pious mothers were taken up with 
planning amusements which diverted the 
attention of their children. The disap- 
pointment nearly crushed me." How 
was it these women did not discern the 
time ? 

Women can frown down that which is 
deteriorating, smile upon all that is im- 
proving, and often they have a persua- 
sive grace to bring others to their views. 
To infuse a religious element into social 
intercourse, is a part of woman's work for 
the Church. 

Boys are exposed to peculiar dangers. 
Wicked men are on the watch to ruin 
them, and the Church ought to be still 
more anxious and vigilant to save them. ] 



woman's work in the church. 35 

Yet how often are they neglected by the 
good, and left to drift into evil till they 
are lost to the Church ! Young women 
will sometimes gain an influence over 
boys, and greatly aid'the mother in guid- 
ing -them toward a safe course in this 
forming period of their lives. 1 

RELIGIOUS BOOKS. 

Good reading is a great safeguard to 
youth. 

Whoever can induce one to read a 
thoroughly religious book does them a 
great service. Loaning and giving reli- 
gious books that are attractive and inter- 
esting as well as instructive, of which 

1 We know two young ladies, sabbath-school teachers, who 
sustain a lyceum and reading-circle in their own parlors 
with most unselfish labor, for the sole purpose of keeping 
boys and girls from amusements that have proved injurious 
to them. 



36 woman's work in the church. 

there are now so many, is one way of 
accomplishing good. 

CHURCH VISITING. 

Women may greatly aid church woik 
by religious visiting. 

A pastor, knowing that some new 
parishioners were sad and homesick, 
asked a woman to call on them, when she 
replied, " I have more acquaintances 
now than I can attend to. I cannot 
make more." She forgot the direction, 
" Love ye therefore the stranger." Visits 
of mere kindness, to make strangers 
more at home, may be church work. So 
of calls on those just coming into the 
church, to give them the right hand of 
Welcome, and assure them of the friendly 
interest of the membership. Were every 
new member met with a hearty cordiality 



woman's work in the church. 37 

as if coming to a united brotherhood, 
and constantly encircled with loving 
sympathy, many might be saved from 
wandering. 

Women should be especially attentive 
to the humble and retiring, and those 
liable to be overlooked, that they may 
not be discouraged and imbittered by 
imagining themselves despised by those 
in more influential positions. They have 
no right, you say, to grow suspicious, and 
presume upon the disdain of those in 
better circumstances. True, but how 
little painstaking might remove such 
prejudices ! How small a return for 
superior advantage, to treat all who are 
less favored with consideration, at least 
those who attend the same church; to 
do a small kindness, make a short call, 
give a friendly greeting, even a pleasant 



38 woman's work in the church. 

smile or a nod as you pass ! None but 
those who have been sadly depressed 
know how much these trifles sometimes 
lighten heavy hearts. A dejected 
woman has just now remarked in our 
hearing, " The poor want a kind word 
more than money." Do not stand upon 
ceremony, and wait with averted face for 
some third person to introduce you for- 
mally. It is the averted face that does 
the mischief. Break the ice by some 
kind inquiry, if you should both linger 
side by side at the church door, or 
chance to meet elsewhere. All know 
that success tends to foster self-esteem, 
and contempt of those who are unsuc- 
cessful. " Ye have despised the poor," 
remonstrates James with a church. The 
least lurking of contempt for the poor, 
the weak, and ignorant, is so far from 



woman's work in the church. 39 

Christlike that it is a great sin, and may 
nullify the virtue of large charities. 

SYMPATHY. 

For religious visiting, as indeed for 
most Christian labor, the first qualifica- 
tion, after a fervent zeal for Christ, is a 
quick and tender sympathy ; an immediate, 
warm, and deep interest in those to be 
benefited ; a power to place one's self in 
their circumstances, and enter into their 
feelings. All successful workers have 
these ready, ardent sympathies. The 
cold and unsympathetic seldom move or 
win others, while there are few so hard 
as not to be touched by an affectionate 
interest in their welfare. 

There is a remarkable worker, who, as 
soon as he learns the character and cir- 
cumstances of a person, seems at once 



40 woman's work in the church. 

to love them almost as his kindred, and 
to be as sincerely concerned for them as 
though there were not another person in 
the world. He gives his whole heart, as 
it were, to whatever case comes before 
him. A human soul wherever found is 
precious to him beyond price, and he sets 
himself to win it. 

"I want," said a magnetic preacher, 
"first to look over my audience, and take 
them all into my heart." Oh ! it is this 
taking them into the heart, as Christ 
takes us all into His great heart of pity 
and of love, that is the secret of all 
Christian magnetism and success. 

We of the Church are finite. Our 
hearts are small. We can each interest 
ourselves deeply in but few at one time ; 
and this makes it important that each 
member, women as well as men, the 



woman's work in the church. 41 

aged and the young, should be searching 
out those whom they can take under 
their loving care, so that every individ- 
ual within reach of the Church shall feel 
the power of a personal influence draw- 
ing them to Christ. 

Now, woman, with her heritage of 
weakness and suffering, gains these quick 
sympathies. It is this, with the grace of 
God, that may give her the wisdom to 
direct, and the tact needed to approach 
others on personal and delicate themes ; 
so that, with sufficient piety, women are 
often the best workers. Especially do 
feminine tenderness and refinement find 
their appropriate sphere in visiting the 
sick and afflicted, with whom bluntness 
or want of delicacy gives a fresh wound. 



42 woman's work in the church. 



VISITING THE SICK. 

By visiting the sick, we do not mean call- 
ing on those whose houses are thronged, 
and whose peace is disturbed by visits of 
inquiry and compliment; but searching 
out the obscure invalids who linger, lone- 
ly and forgotten, having few comforts 
and few friends, who sigh for some token 
of remembrance, and need something 
fresh to connect them with the outside 
world ; to whom the sight of a new face, 
the tones of a new voice, or any change, 
give relief to the wearying monotony of 
confinement. 

If, as Hannah More says, " the care of 
the poor is the vocation of woman/' how 
much more does all that is implied in 
the care of the sick poor devolve upon 
her! These visits should usually be 



woman's work in the church. 43 

short and cheery, either for ministry or 
to carry some comfort. At least, go with 
some good news. Be as sunshine in the 
darkened room. Few except hyponchon- 
driacs desire condolence. They had 
better hear of some happiness, some suc- 
cess, although we should show sufferers 
that we appreciate their efforts to main- 
tain self-control and cheerfulness. As- 
sure them of the continual love and pity 
of God j for afflictions sometimes seem to 
us judgments for our sins, rather than 
fatherly chastisements; and convince 
them of the tender sympathy of Him who 
bore our sicknesses. 

It may sometimes be better to send 
than to go, if you can teach an unprac- 
tised one, or show those unused to such 
work, the enjoyment there is in helping 
the helpless. All who wish to comfort 



44 woman's work in the church. 

the sick would do well to read Florence 
Nightingale's " Notes on Nursing," in 
order to gain something of her wisdom, 
and imbibe her spirit ; for her keen sym- 
pathies with all the suffering creatures 
of God are an inspiration to every true- 
hearted woman. 

CALLING ON THE AFFLICTED. 

What true sympathy should she pos- 
sess who goes to weep with those who 
weep, to carry to the sorrow-stricken the 
rich consolations God has provided for 
all the varied forms of grief ! It is her 
work to point the bereaved to Him who 
can fill every vacancy in the heart, and 
satisfy every longing, and, in place of 
our loved and lost, can give his own 
sweet peace, — the one who calls him- 
self a father an elder brother, a husband ; 



WOMAN S WORK IN THE CHURCH. 45 

and who promises to comfort as a " moth- 
er comforteth." 

Does she visit the widow and the 
fatherless ? How many expressions of 
God's peculiar regard for them, how 
many promises of especial protection, she 
can quote to them from the Scriptures ! 

Those who are infirm with age should 
never be neglected ; for, with the decline 
of vital force, there is often a painful 
sinking of courage. Such need to be 
reassured by the promises, " He will be 
our guide even unto death," " Even to 
your old age, and even to hoar hairs, 
will I carry you. I have made, and I 
will bear 5 even I will carry, and will de- 
liver you." It must be a pleasant duty 
to remind those who are nearing and are 
fearing the dark valley, of the rest that 
remaineth, and the mansions in the place 
prepared for them. 



46 woman's work in the church. 

It is said that the death of a young 
child oftener proves a spiritual blessing 
than any other affliction. A woman 
said to me, " Besides my other great 
trials, I lost my first child. Then I was 
thoughtful: I longed for religion. If I 
could have gone to church, and been 
instructed, or had some Christian come 
to me and guided me, — taught me to 
submit my will to God's, — it might have 
saved all my long rebellion against him. 
Oh, how many weary years of wretched 
discontent, before I found comfort for 
all my sorrows, and peace of mind from 
Jesus I " 

Invalids and convalescents are some- 
times in this subdued and receptive state 
of mind ; and Christian woman should 
be watching to guide all such, and to 
drop the precious seed when the soul is 
thus softened by tender grief. 



woman's work in the church. 47 

religious conversation. 

But more important and more ne- 
glected church work is visiting for reli- 
gious conversation. 

These visits should usually be merely 
calls of friendship till confidence is won. 

Many of us who are Christians need 
constant rousing to duty, and those most 
earnest may do much to quicken others. 
They should win such praise as the 
apostle gave : " Your zeal hath provoked 
very many." "Exhort one another 
daily " is the command. We knew a 
woman confined to her bed for years, 
who was a continual incentive to good 
deeds, and a stimulating spiritual power 
to all who knew her. 

Some ladies in a city complained, " It 
is so hard to raise money sufficient to 



48 woman's work in' the church. 

hire our Bible-readers and female vis- 
itors ! " We asked, " Where are your 
volunteer workers ? In all your city 
cannot women be found who wish to 
labor for Christ, — women of leisure, or 
partial leisure, who will take small, quiet 
districts, say the nearest to their own 
homes, and make themselves responsible 
for the faithful visiting of that community ? 
Some laborers, strong and firm, of course 
must be hired for the most difficult parts 
of the work ; but a great deal might be 
done by your own ladies, if they would 
undertake it ; and the reflex influence on 
the church would be blessed, much more 
so than the mere giving of 'money. To 
be sure, it would require self-denial, prep- 
aration for the work, the cultivation of 

• 

tact, tenderness and friendliness of man- 
ner ; but all this can be soon gained, if 



woman's work in the church. 49 

prayerfully sought; and it would be 
sought and gained, did Christian women 
but know what a rich reward Christ 
gives to all who labor directly for him.' 3 

But they say, " We are not adapted to 
this : it is better for us to give ; we prefer 
to give." They are somewhat like the 
man who said, " I cannot pray : I am 
not used to it ; I don't know how. I 
will pay somebody to pray." Ladies 
have learned to work for Christ in this 
way, and ladies who have been trained, 
and have expected, to be the most ex- 
clusive. This exclusiveness is not of 
Christ, but of the world. Why should 
we not sometimes leave "our set," and 
go out, like the Good Samaritan, to find 
who is our neighbor ? If in the city, go 
as a missionary, frankly confessing your 
errand. If in the country, go as a friencL 

4 



So woman's work in the church. 

How much more satisfactory than calling 
on the " dear five hundred friends " it 
must be, to know that you are befriend- 
ing those who need friends, are pleasing 
Christ, and perhaps are winning grateful 
love ! 

There is a pious girl in the city of 

, only fifteen years of age, who has 

" her poor family," which she visits fre- 
quently, and assists in many ways. There 
is no waste in her home : Lucy wants it 
for "her poor family." She is almost 
worshipped by them. The delight of 
the children at her approach is worth 
more to her than rubies and pearls. 

It cannot lower one of high position 
thus to "condescend to men of low 
estate." Did it lower Agnes Jones, rich 
and learned, to go out on her father's 
large estate, and nurse paupers, and die 



WOMAN S WORK IN THE CHURCH. 5 1 

at last from over care and work in the 
Liverpool almshouse ? or did it degrade 
the gifted Mrs. Judson to do this work 
in foreign lands ? It raised them nearet 
the dignity of the ministering spirits, and 
of the condescending One who went 
about doing good. 

How were the women employed who 
will be held in everlasting remembrance 
because they labored with Paul in the 
gospel ? They must have visited for 
religious conversation, calling first upon 
one woman, and then on another, telling 
of Jesus, and persuading them to become 
his disciples. 

We have now in mind honorable 
women, wealthy and cultivated, who 
rejoice to do this work for the church. 
They visit not only the very poor, and 
their own social circle, but the industrial 



52 woman's work in the church. 

classes ; those who are not rich, but yet 
are tenacious of their independence. 

This is important in the country, where 
there are no hired visitors, and where 
jealousies between the different classes 
often prevent kind feeling, and hinder 
the progress of religion. A distinguished 
woman has remarked, " I would like to 
know my neighbor in the palace : I must 
know my neighbor in the cottage. " This 
is attended with difficulties, and ladies 
will object, "We wish to be friendly, but 
the social barrier is between us : how 
are we to surmount it ? The pride and 
reserve and reluctance are on the other 
side. They do not wish to have us call." 
Hints to the wise are sufficient. 

One lady in a village made her way 
by borrowing. The large house over- 
looked the small garden of the cottage. 



woman's work, in the church. 53 

She had wished to call ; she longed to do 
these neighbors good, and she knew it 
was her duty to attempt it ; but she was 
made aware that she would not be wel- 
come. One day she put on a plain 
dress and a sunbonnet, and ran over, 
saying, "I have come to ask a favor. 
My soup needs an onion. I see you 
have them in your pretty garden. May 
I beg one ? How bright your flowers 
are ! " &c. Another time she went to 
beg nasturtions for her bouquet. Favors 
asked could be returned, and she could 
sit and chat. Jealous prejudices were 
removed. " Why, she is not proud, as 
I thought when I saw her riding round 
in her carriage ! " After a time, she 
could tell what a comfort her religion 
had been to her, how little worth the 
living life would be without the hope in 



54 woman's work in the CHURCH. 

Christ, how she longed to have all pos- 
sess it. At last, her genuine regard was 
so undoubted, that she could plead, " I 
cannot bear to have you neglect this 
matter : you must be a Christian. " 

Another broke the ice by saying, " I 
have the old-fashioned country way : I 
want to know all my neighbors. In case 
of sickness or accident I might need 
their help, or they might need mine. I 
want them to feel free to call on me if I 
can help them." Of course she was 
soon regarded as a friend. How could 
her friendship be doubted ? She gave 
bright apples and pictures to the 
children, and in the twilight knit socks 
for the baby. Was not this as well as to 
make presents to the pampered children 
of the rich ? She could present the 
claims of Christ, even urge them. 



woman's work in the church. 55 

Still another learned that the mechan- 
ic's wife, not far from her house, was sick 
without a nurse. The lady went over, 
and spent an hour or two every morning 
nursing her, for a fortnight. While giv- 
ing her her broth, she told her how 
Christ made all her own bed for her in 
her last sickness, how ready he was to 
meet all seekers. When the sick one 
recovered, her kind nurse found she had 
won a heart : soon she had won a soul. 

Begin with the lowest, was Howard's 
rule ; that is, seek out the most suffering, 
most needy, first : but do not cease your 
efforts here. How many laborers do 
this ! How few have courage to exhort 
the opulent and self-complacent! How 
few venture to warn the haughty breth- 
ren of Dives ! It should be one who fre- 
quents their dwellings, of the same 



56 woman's work in the church. 

refinement ; one who speaks tenderly, 
wisely, and well. May it not be the cul- 
tured lady or the maiden of address who 
always wins her way, and can say what- 
ever she pleases ? Ah, if Salome, who 
pleased Herod so well, had but appealed 
to his better nature, he might have heard 
John again, and have done many more 
things gladly, things that accompany 
salvation. Had she possessed the spirit 
of the little captive maid who saved 
Naaman, possibly she, too, might have 
had the star of a ruler in her crown of 
glory. " The tender and delicate woman 
among you, who would not adventure to 
set the sole of her foot on the ground for 
delicateness," can find a path of duty 
over velvet carpets, and joy to tread it 
bearing her cross, while she is studying 
and praying for the best way, the fittest 



woman's work in the church. 57 

time, and the choicest words, in which 
to plead for Jesus. 

" Oh, the true cross can never rest 
On shoulders light and vain, 
Or sparkle on a thoughtless breast, 
Hung by a golden chain. 

' Tis not a gem or amulet, 
A charm by beauty worn ; 
But toil in self -denial set, 
And daily up hill borne." * 

Where in this favored day are our 
Madame Guyons with hearts aglow, to 
move in the palaces of the noble, and 
write and talk with inspiring ardor of the 
love of our Redeemer ? 

INVITING TO CHRIST. 

Perhaps there is no duty so self-deny- 
ing, from which there is so much shrink- 
ing, as dose personal religious conversation , 



58 woman's work in the church. 

pressing the claims of Christ on those 
who neglect him. 

Christians say to you, "We will do 
any other work : we cannot do this." 
Some will plead, " We are too inconsist- 
ent." Such should examine themselves, 
and see what is the sin which they think 
will rise before others or trouble their 
own consciences when they speak, and 
strfve to put away that sin. 

" But we cannot rebuke others, we 
cannot preach," they object. You need 
not do either : use gentle persuasion. 
" They will think us impertinent." No, 
indeed. They will be more likely to 
think you remiss if you neglect it. " I 
shall be repulsed." What matter? 
Christ was sometimes repulsed, yet he 
saved men. Tiy and see. They may 
say, "We have been hoping you would 



woman's work in the church. 59 

introduce this subject." Depend upon it, 
many are longing for this help, waiting, 
and wondering when some Christian will 
speak to them. Your interest for their 
souls may arouse them to feeling. The 
anxiety you manifest for them will repre- 
sent to them the compassionate heart of 
Jesus. They will consider your words 
another call of God's mercy. 

The refinement of feeling, which gives 
you a sense of the delicacy and difficulty 
of the work fits you for it, provided only, 
that, relying on the Saviour's strength, 
you undertake it. 

The weak and irresolute, and those 
unfavorably situated, are often grateful 
for aid from a stronger will and firmer 
convictions than their own, and thank 
you for urging, " You will not let these 
things slip. Promise me that you will 



60 woman's work in the church. 

surely pray to-day." So to the timid, 
who shrink from acknowledged duties, 
you may say, " Next communion is the 
time : sun or rain, alone or with company, 
pray come out and confess Christ." 

Christians who are so fearful of giv- 
ing offence greatly misjudge the world 
around them. 

A factory girl complained that she had 
worked four months in the same room 
with three professed Christians, and not 
one thought enough of her to inquire 
whether she had any interest in religion. 

We asked a young lady visiting in 
town, "Is there not some one in your 
own home you can talk with to keep up 
your interest ? " She answered bitterly, 
" No, indeed ! Nobody in that church 
cares a straw whether I am converted." 
Why was it, Christian friends, that she 
knew so little of their hearts ? 



woman's work in the church. 6 1 

How often the unconverted say of us, 
" If they believed what they profess, they 
would show more concern for us " ! 

Were not the stubborn facts before us, 
we should not believe there could be 
such remissness. A woman moved into 
a neighboring village ; and, after a year, 
not one of her many Christian neighbors 
knew whether she belonged to any 
church. Two women lived side by side, 
exchanging kindly calls, and talking 
freely about every other matter : and yet 
the professor never introduced the most 
important subject, or knew the spiritual 
condition of the non-professor. Alas, 
alas ! how willing to go to heaven alone, 
and wear a starless crown ! 

SUCCESSFUL LABORERS. 

In contrast with all this, President 



62 woman's work in the church. 

Finney in his tract, " Power from on 
High," says, " Women have possessed 
this power, and very often in a remarka- 
ble degree. Paul had his female helpers 
in proclaiming the gospel, whose useful- 
ness he was frank to acknowledge. In 
every age of the Church, and especially 
wherever revivals of religion have ex- 
isted, this power has been given to wom- 
en, as well as men. I am rejoiced to 
know that the American Board is learn- 
ing more and more the power and use- 
fulness of female laborers in the mission- 
ary field. However men may interpret 
the Bible, whatever prejudices may exist 
in any branch of the Church against the 
public gospel labors of females, the fact 
remains, that God imparts to females, 
often in an eminent degree, the power to 
win souls to Christ. I have myself 



WOMAN'S WORK IN THE CHURCH. 6$ 

known a goodly number of women, who 
have been among the most efficient la- 
borers* for souls I could anywhere find. 
I could name women of diverse ages and 
culture, upon whom rested this power 
from on high, in a degree too manifest 
to be overlooked or denied." 

Read the memoir of the faithful work- 
er, Fidelia Fiske, and notice how many 
heathen girls she won to Christ. She" 
was in a school, you say, and had great 
opportunities. Yes, she was surround- 
ed by girls ; but they were heathen girls, 
— lying, thieving, unchaste : yet she 
became the means of converting many of 
them to become devoted missionary 
women, true workers for Christ. Had 
we half her consecration and singleness 
of purpose, we might surely win some 
American girls. We may be obscure sis- 



64 woman's work in the church. 

ters, but the lives of all such women 
remind us, — ' 

" We may make our lives sublime. " 

Every class of Christians should strive 
to act at least on their own class among 
the worldly. Pious girls should persuade 
other girls ; the old should exhort those 
of their own age. The laboring woman 
should tell another how Christ helps her 
to bear her burdens and to be contented 
with her lot. Those who are convinced 
that this speaking for Jesus is duty 
should urge it upon those who fail to do 
it. 

About three years ago, forty members 
of one church, male and female, banded 
themselves together for Christian work. 
Each one selected two orthree individ- 
uals from the surrounding community, 



woman's work in the church. 65 

and promised to pray earnestly and labor 
faithfully for their salvation. The result 
was that numerous conversions occurred 
constantly around them for three years. 
When questioned in regard to this long- 
continued work of grace, they all an- 
swered, " It was God's blessing upon 
work." Why cannot every church do 
something like this, — appoint persons 
to look after every one within its reach ? 
Dear friends, let us each ask ourselves 
to-day, Whom we are helping heaven- 
ward ? Over whom are we exerting a 
blessed influence ? What persons will 
we select, this hour, as subjects of prayer 
and labor, until they are entirely devoted 
to the Lord ? 

RICH REWARD. 

Our blessed Lord bestows a direct and 



66 woman's work in the church. 

precious reward upon all who truly work 
for the Church. 

If you study the history of his life, 
you will marvel at his keen appreciation 
and warm commendation of every ser- 
vice rendered bv women. It was like 
his thoughtful tenderness, for Paul to 
send greeting to each of the sisters, by 
name, who had worked for the early 
Church, We almost hear his own loving 
voice saying, " Salute the beloved Persis, 
who labored much in the Lord." 

In a letter just received from a mis- 
sionary in Africa, she writes, "When 
Major Malan was here, he broke out in 
a kind of rapturous delight one day, as 
he said, ' Did you ever feel greater joy 
at any thing than the privilege of open- 
ing the way of salvation to a sinner 
who does not care for himself, but you 
long to have him saved? What can 



woman's work in the church. 67 

equal it?' I have often thought," she 
continues, " of the intense joy he seemed 
to feel at the remembrance of such op 
tunities. And how happy we might all 
be, if we would thus earnestly work for 
Jesus ! " 

Notice, dear sisters, it is not success 
that is rewarded, but the effort. The 
results we leave meekly with God; the 
happiness in doing the work is our own. 

Every one who has faithfully preached 
Christ, written lovingly of him to win 
souls to him, or with a full heart ex- 
horted sinners to receive him, can testify 
that there came into the heart a new 
love for Christ and for souls \ and, as 
love and joy are inseparable, with the 
love came a great joy. 

When you become fully engaged in 
this work, life can no longer be vacant 
and dull. You begin to live as the an- 



68 woman's work in the church. 

gels live ; to feed on their food, and 
taste their delight. More than this, you 
come into sympathy with Christ in his 
redeeming work j you are exalted to be 
a co-worker with him. You may some- 
times be a partaker of his sufferings, but 
you will also share the divine blessed- 
ness. His joy will remain with you, and 
your joy will be full. 

When the artist Cole found he had 
painted a religious picture, he suddenly 
awoke to a consciousness of his own 
capabilities, and made a new life pur- 
pose. Often it is the new purpose and 
new effort that show us our capabilities. 
May we now come up to his high resolve, 
when he exclaimed, "I am going to work 
for the Church, I am going to work for 
the Church ! " 



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